The 73-year-old director has collaborated with Puri in many films in the past including 'Ardh Satya', which won the actor a National award.

"I don't know who all will be in my film but I will make sure Om is in it. I have not thought about other casts because my selection of actors depends upon characterization," Nihalani said, adding that he does not base his casting on star power of an actor.

The director is keen on making the sequel of the classic but is struggling to get the right script.

"I am yet to get the right script. My struggle is to break the stereotype and do something different. Story of 'Ardh Satya 2' will not continue from where the first film finished. I am waiting for that fresh script," he said.

Nihalani, associated mostly with serious and path-breaking films, is now setting out to do something different by making an animation film 'Kamlu Happy Happy'.

"I love special effects. I love imaginations and fantasies. If I had that much money earlier, I would have made more of such films," he said, adding that the film will break all the stereotypes people have of him as a director.

Nihalani said he wants to make films reflecting today's times and not restrict himself with the kind of movies he has made in the past.

"If someone comes and tells me your latest movie is not like 'Ardh Satya', I will ask them, 'why should I make movie like that?' I will make a film on a topic which interests me today because I feel cinema is reflective of the times we live in. I find all the comparisons between old and new films unfair. I believe in moving ahead with the time," he said.

Nihalani, who is heading the jury of the third Ladakh International Film Festival, said because of his other assignments he would not stay for the whole event.

"I could not see other films. But I have noticed that filmmakers are exploring more. The directors are daring to expose violation of human rights," he said.

The filmmaker said that LIFF needs government support and the authorities should realize its potential as it will put this place on the global map.